Inflating device for pneumatic tires or the like.



M. G. SCHWBINERT & H. P. KRAFT. INFLATING DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES ORTHE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 1;), 1910.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

INVENTORS I M J WITNESSES:

M. G. SGHWEINERT & H. P. KRAFT.

INFLATING DEVICE FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 10, 1910.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fig.4

INVENTORS mvrrnn srATns PATENT oinnion.

MAXIMILIAN CHARLES SGHWEINERT, OF WEST HOBOKEN, AND HENRY 1. KRAFT, OF

. RIDGE-WOOD, NEW JERSEY.

INFLATING DEVICE FOR. PNEUMATIC TIRES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed August 10, 1910. Serial No. 576,584.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MAXIMILIAN CHARLES SoHwEINnR'r, residing in WestHoboken, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, and HENRY P. KRAFT,residing in Ridgewood, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey,both citizens of the -United States, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Infiating Devices for Pneumatic Tires orthe like,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to inflating devices for what are known asvalveless pneumatic tires and aims to provide certain improvementstherein. In this type of tire the inner tube is so constructed that itis at least to a certain extent self-healing, which characteristicpermits its-inflation through the medium of a needle-like tube which isinserted through the wall of'the tire tube. In this type of tire theinner edges of the outer shoe are separated to permit the passage of theinflating instrument between them so that the latter may pierce theinner tube without passing through the shoe.

The invention provides a fitting which is formed with a passage for theinflating needle, and which at the same time preferably acts as astay-bolt for holding the edges of the outer shoe in place upon the rimand for preventing creeping of the tire.

The invention also includes the combination with a fitting of this typeof an inflating needle, the fitting and needle having interengagingprovisions by which the needle can be held in place in. the fitting, andpreferably also by which the needle can be easily and progressivelyinserted in the inner tube and withdrawn.

The invention also includes means whereby the needle is rigidly heldfrom turning while within the fitting so that it cannot strain the tubeor enlarge the hole through which it passes to such an extent as toprevent self-healing of the tube.

Other features of improvement will be hereinafter referred to.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of theinvention,- Figure 1 is a cross section of the tire provided with oneembodiment of the invention,

and showing the needle inserted. Fig. 2 is a circumferential section oftire showing the needle about to be inserted. Fig. 3 is a diametricalview of a dust cap. Fig. i is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

view similar to Fig. 1, showing another form of the invention. Fig. 5 isan enlarged view of the inflating needle illustrated in Fig. 4. F ig. 6is a detail view showing a form of cap.

Referring to the drawings let A indicate a felly of a wheel which isprovided with a metal rim B having side channels C C designed to receiveflanges formed on the inner edges of the tire 'shoe D. Within the tireshoe is an inner air tube E which may be understood to be a tube of theself-healing type. In this class of tubes the construction is such thatwhen punctured by a small object the edges of the puncture closetogether so that air does not escape to any material extent. This isparticularly true when the object is round and pointed so that the cutis not irregular or jagged. Suchtubes are designed comprises a bodyportion or casing G hav-' ing within it a check valve of any suitableconstruction and a sharpened tube H of small diameter through which theair is introduced into the tire. The interior construction of the needleF is preferably that shown in Fig. 5.

According to the invention a tubular member J is provided, which tubularmember extends throughthe felly A of the wheel, and is of properinternal diameter to receive the needle G and to hold it snugly in itsvarying positions therein. The tube J is preferably constructed as astay bolt; that is to say, it is provided at its inner end with awedgeshaped member K, the sides of which press against the inner sidesof the shoe D and hold the flanges of the latter in the channels C ofthe rim and prevent creeping of the shoe therein. The wedge-shapedmember K may be connected with the tube in any suitable manner, but itis preferable to provide an integral flange or head L upon the tubeagainst which the member K is clamped by a nut M. The exterior of the"tube J is rewthreaded, at least for a part of its ,igth, and a clampingnut N is provided which is adapted to screw down against the inner sideof the felly and to draw the tube J toward the center of the wheel untilthe member K is in its proper clamping position. A leather washer O ispreferably interposed between the nut and the inner face of the felly Aas is customary.

The piercing tube H of the needle is preferably arranged eccentricallyas shown, in order that the tube may be pierced at diflcrent points inthe successive inflating operations. By this means there is not so greata tendency to enlarge the hole as though a centrally arranged piercingtube were employed and were always inserted in the same place.

,/The invention includes means for holding the needle against a. rotatinor twisting movement, while in the tube so that once the needle isinserted it cannot be twisted or turned so as to enlarge the hole in thetire tube. The preferred construction is that illustrated wherein thetubeJ is formed with a series of slots P, which are adapted to beengaged by a projection or projections Q formed upon the casing G of theneedle F. By this means the needle may be inserted in as many positionsas there are slots, and consequently the holes made in the inner tubeswill be distributed. The invention also preferably includes a means forholding the needle in place during the inflating operation, so that itneed 'not be held in by hand. The means shown for accomplishing thisresult comprise a coupling R which; is carried by the needle, suchcoupling being adapted to engage an interior screw-thread on the tube Jwhen the needle is in its proper position. Preferably also means areprovided whereby the needle can be accurately and easily pushed throughthe tire tube and withdrawn therefrom. To this end the coupling Rinstead of being only sufficiently long to engage the tube J when theneedle is in its operative position is made with an extended bodyportion so that it is enabled to engage the threads of the tube J beforethe piercing tube H of the needle enters the tube E. This position ofthe parts is shown in Fig. 2. When the coupling is rotated in onedirection the needle is pushed forwardly to pierce the tube E, whilebyreverse movement of the couplingthe needle is withdrawn.

During running of the car it is desirable toprovide a cap to preventingress of dust and mud into the tube J. In Fig. 3 we have shown a formof cap S designed for this purpose. The cap is provided with a bodyportion T of sutficient length to extend inwardly beyond the slots P P.A suitable packing may be provided if desired such as the ring U(Fig. 1) which the inner end of the cap engages.

In Fig. 4 another form of the invention is shown. In this figure theneedle F is provided with a concentrically-arranged piercing tube H. Asthe needle can occupy but one position in the tube J, it may be providedthroughout most of its length with a bore which is only of suflicientdiameter to accommodate the tube H. The outer end of the tube isenlarged to receive the body portion G and is provided with slots P intowhich two lugs Q of the inflating needle fit. The parts are heldtogether by a short coupling R which screws on the outer side of thetube J. The nut N is used as before to clamp the wedge K in position sothat the edges of the tire cannot escape and the tire as a whole isprevented from creeping. I

In Fig. 6 we have shown a different form of dust cap from thatillustrated in Fig. 3. In this construction the dust cap T is ofelongated form and is adapted to screw down over the exposed end of thetube J until its end engages the nut N, thus not only closing theopening to the tube J but also forming a lock nut on the nut N.

,The form of inflating needle which we prefer to employ is shown in Fig.5. In this construction the body portion G is formed with a central boreV within-which the how by a screw-threaded plug W, the

valve seat being provided with a packin ring W seating against ashoulder W valve stem X, carrying a valve proper X, extends through theplug W and is surrounded by a spring Y which normally presses the valveproper against the seat W. The inner end of the valve stem projectsloosely into a holder Y which rests against the inner end of the bore V,while its outer end is upset at Y to prevent escape of the plug W whenthe parts are separate from the body portion G. The bore V is connectedwith the inflating tube H'- by a short passage V so that air from thepump or other inflating medium after passing through the valve and boreis led to the tire.

Preferably we provide a cap Z which screws over the end of the needle soas to prevent ingress of dust and other foreign substances when theneedle is not in use.

While we have shown several forms of the device, it will be understoodthat modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention.

What we claim is 1. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, thecombination of a tubular member, adapted to hear at its inner endagainst the exterior of the tire and adapted to extend through a fellyof a wheel, and an inflat' needle adapted to be inserted through s a idtubular member through and into the aircontaining tube of the tire. 2.In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of a tubularmember, adapted to bear at its inner end against the exterior of thetire and adapted to extend through a felly of a wheel, and having on itsinner end a retaining device for a tire shoe, and an inflating needleadapted to be inserted through said tubular member through and into theair-containing tube of the tire.

3. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, a tubular member adaptedto bear at its inner end against the exterior of the air containing tubeof the tire, and adapted to receive an inflating needle, said tubularmember having on its inner end a retaining device for a tire shoe.

4. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member, adapted to bear at its inner end against the exterior ofthe air-containing tube of the tire, and an inflating needle adapted tobe inserted through said tubular member through and into theair-containing tube of the tire, and means for retaining said needle insaid tubular member.

5. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member and an inflating needle adapted to be inserted throughsaid tubular member through and into the air-containing tube of thetire,

, and means for retaining said needle in said tubular member.

6. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination ofatubular member and an inflati-n needle having a needle propereccentrically mounted thereon adapted to be inserted through saidtubular member into the air-containing tube of the tire, and means forpreventing rotation of said needle proper in said tubular member.

7. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member and. an inflating needle having a needle propereccentrically mounted thereon adapted to be inserted through saidtubular member into the air-containing tube of the tire, and means forretaining said needle proper in a plurality of angular positions in saidtubular member. a

8. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member and an inflatin needle having a needle propereccentrically mounted thereon adapted to be inserted through saidtubular member into. the air-containing tube ofthe tire, and means forretaining said needle proper in a plurality of angular positions in saidtubular member, said means comprising interengaging lugs and slots uponsaid needle and tubular member.

9. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member and an inflating needle adapted to be inserted throughsaid tubular member through and into the air-containing tube of thetire, and means for retaining said needle in said tubular member, saidmeans comprising a coupling sleeve adapted to engage said needle andtubular member.

10. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member and an inflating needle adapted to be inserted throughsaid tubular member through and into the air-containing tube of thetire, and mechanical means for 'mo ving said needle longitudinally insaid tubular member.

11. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of a rim, an innerair-containing tube, an outer shoe, means for retaining said shoe inengagement with said rim, said means comprising a tubular member,detached from said inner tube, and an inflating needle, said tubularmember having an opening through which said inflating needle may beinserted into said inner tube.

12. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, the combination of atubular member adapted to bear at its outer end against the exterior ofthe air-containing tube of the tire and having an opening therethroughto the exterior of said air-containing tube, and an inflating needlehaving a sharpened perforating point adapted to be inserted through saidtubular member into said aircontaining tube through the walls thereof.

13. In an inflating device for pneumatic tires, a tubular member adaptedto bear at its inner end against the exterior of an aircontaining tube,and adapted to have an inflating needle passed therethrough into andthrough the air tube, and having means for attaching the same to a rim.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

' MAXIMILIAN CHARLES SGHWEINERT. HENRY IQJKRAFT.

Witnesses:

7 T. F. WALLAon,

' FRED Wnrm.

